The video footage, leaked into the social media, showed the activist was taken into custody on Friday for protesting outside a hotel, where Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Bahraini king’s eldest son, was residing.

Earlier in October, London’s High Court announced the annulment of a previous ruling by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) that gave the prince immunity over allegations of involvement in torturing anti-regime protesters.

The CPS had said the son of the King of Bahrain has immunity as commander of the Royal Guard of Bahrain and cannot be prosecuted.

Under the new ruling, however, the prince, who is a frequent visitor to the UK, could face arrest and prosecution over claims he tortured anti-regime activists in detention.

Since February 2011, thousands of Bahraini protesters have staged numerous demonstrations in the streets of Bahrain, calling for the Al Khalifa royal family to relinquish power.